Daventry man to climb active volcano to raise charity funds

A man who narrowly survived a cardiac arrest at a pub in Daventry is to climb up an active volcano in South America.

Graham Reeve, from Staverton, went into cardiac arrest outside The Dun Cow in Brook Street in 2012.

He was saved by friend Rob Smith who performed CPR following the advice on a British Heart Foundation(BHF) advert.

Mr Reeve later underwent a heart transplant and is now looking to climb the volcano in Ecuador to help others who have been in a similar situation.

He said: “My transplant was performed at the Harefield Hospital, and one of the surgeons there has invited 15 heart and lung transplantees on an expedition to Cotopaxi in Ecuador in June and July of this year.”

There are three reasons for him and his group climbing the active volcano. He hopes to raise the awareness of the importance of donor organs, to remember individuals and families who donate organs to allow people to live and to raise funds for a piece of equipment that extends the time an organ can be in transit from three hours to eight hours.

Mr Reeve said: “We have been chosen to show the world what can be achieved after a life-saving transplant.

“As a team, we are hoping to raise the bar of expectation and generate significant awareness of organ donation, to offer hope and encouragement for those still waiting.

“Cotopaxi is one of the world’s highest active volcanoes at 5,897 metres.

“It is believed that this will be the highest ever climbed by a lung transplant patient and definitely by a group of transplant patients.

“We have completed a training camp in Glencoe, Scotland, in March, and are now improving our fitness levels for the expedition itself, departing the UK on Friday June 26 to Sunday July 12.

“The plan is to undertake this amazing journey with the funding and/or support of individuals and companies. We aim to raise £100,000.

“The new technology is an ‘Organ Care System’ which enables the transporting of donor organs and extends the transplantation window from the existing three hour limit to eight hours, therefore having the ability to save more lives as well as providing other significant medical benefits.”

Following his heart attack, Mr Reeve also appeared in a promotional video for hands only CPR for the British Heart Foundation alongside former footballer Vinny Jones.

He also plans to walk and climb all the UK county highest points either side of his trip. There are 39 in England, 13 in Wales, 33 in Scotland and six in Northern Ireland.

For further information about the climb or to sponsor Mr Reeve on his journey visit www.justgiving.com/graham-reeve1/